Method, device and communication system for processing common search area

ABSTRACT

The disclosure provides a method, a device and a communication system for processing a common search area. The method includes: acquiring resource indication information about a first common search area of a control channel, or resource indication information about a first common search area and resource indication information about at least one second common search area; and determining, according to the resource indication information about the first common search area, or the resource indication information about the first common search area and the resource indication information about at least one second common search area, a location of the first common search area, or locations of the first common search area and at least one second common search area.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/672,004, filed on Mar. 27, 2015, which is a continuation ofInternational Patent Application No. PCT/CN2012/082393, filed on Sep.28, 2012. All of the afore-mentioned patent applications are herebyincorporated by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of communication technologiesand, in particular, to a method, a device and a communication system forprocessing a common search area.

BACKGROUND

At present, control signaling borne on a physical downlink controlchannel (PDCCH) needs to be obtained via blindly detecting a search areaby a user equipment (UE). The search area thereof may be divided into acommon search area and a UE dedicated search area, where the controlsignaling in the common search area is used for scheduling a systemmessage, a paging message, initial access signaling and bearer powercontrol signaling.

Besides, for a new carrier type (NCT), since there is no traditionalcontrol region on the carrier, namely, a PDCCH is not sent, but anEPDCCH is sent, and the EPDCCH which does not contain the common searcharea only considers the UE dedicated search area. For a NCT which isattached to other carriers, the UE may acquire the control signaling inthe common search area by detecting the location of the common searcharea on the main carrier (not NCT), but for a NCT which is not attachedto other traditional carriers, the UE cannot determine the common searcharea, thereby the control signaling in the common search area cannot beacquired. In addition, a plurality of neighboring cells may use the samecell ID, resulting in an increase in the control signaling which needsto be sent in the common search area, however, the capacity of thecommon search area is limited, as a result, the control signaling whichneeds to be sent in the common search area cannot be sent in time,thereby resulting in congestion in the common search area and reducingthe transmission efficiency. Therefore, how to design an effectivecommon search area and let the UE be able to determine the location ofthe common search area is a problem that needs to be solved urgently.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a method, a device and a communicationsystem for processing a common search area, so as to solve the problemin the prior art that a UE is not able to determine the location of acommon search area, which is caused by the EPDCCH which does not containthe common search area only considering a UE specific search area, andthe problem of congestion of the common search area.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a method for processinga common search area, including:

acquiring resource indication information about a first common searcharea of a control channel, or resource indication information about thefirst common search area and resource indication information about atleast one second common search area;

determining, according to the resource indication information about thefirst common search area, or the resource indication information aboutthe first common search area and the resource indication informationabout at least one second common search area, a location of the firstcommon search area, or locations of the first common search area and atleast one second common search area.

In a first possible implementation of the first aspect, the resourceindication information about the first common search area includes:bandwidth resource information, a number of a PRB occupied by the firstcommon search area and an initial location of the first common searcharea;

where the bandwidth resource information is a bandwidth of a carrier;or, a predefined fixed value; or, bandwidth resource informationnotified through broadcast information or higher layer signaling orphysical layer signaling;

the number of the PRB occupied by the first common search area is anumber of the PRB occupied by a common search area, where the number ofthe PRB occupied by the common search area is notified through broadcastinformation or higher layer signaling or physical layer signaling; or, apredefined parameter;

the initial location of the first common search area is a predefinedlocation; or, an initial location of a common search area determined bya cell identifier; or, an initial location of a common search areanotified through broadcast information or higher layer signaling orphysical layer signaling.

Combining the first possible implementation of the first aspect, in asecond possible implementation of the first aspect, the first commonsearch area is distributed on the bandwidth resource information with anequal interval, a number of a PRB in the interval is

${N = \lfloor {\frac{N_{RB}^{BW}}{M} - 1} \rfloor},$

where N_(RB) ^(BW) is the bandwidth resource information which isdenoted with the number of the PRB, M is the number of the PRB occupiedby the first common search area.

Combining the first aspect, in a third possible implementation of thefirst aspect, the resource indication information about the first commonsearch area includes: a PRB interval occupied by the first common searcharea and an initial location of the first common search area;

where the initial location of the first common search area is apredefined location; or, an initial location of a common search areanotified through broadcast information or higher layer signaling orphysical layer signaling; or, an initial location of a common searcharea determined according to a cell identifier;

the PRB interval occupied by the first common search area is apredefined fixed value; or, a PRB interval which is occupied by a commonsearch area and notified through broadcast information or higher layersignaling or physical layer signaling; or, a PRB interval which isoccupied by a common search area and determined by the initial locationof the first common search area.

Combining the first aspect, in a fourth possible implementation of thefirst aspect, the resource indication information about the first commonsearch area includes: a resource indication value, a N_(RB) ^(step) andan interval currently used by a base station;

where the resource indication value is a resource indication valuenotified through broadcast information or higher layer signaling orphysical layer signaling;

the N_(RB) ^(step) is a N_(RB) ^(step) notified through broadcastinformation or higher layer signaling or physical layer signaling; or, aN_(RB) ^(step) determined according to a cell identifier; or, apredefined fixed value;

the interval currently used by the base station is an interval which iscurrently used by a base station and notified through broadcastinformation or higher layer signaling or physical layer signaling; or,an interval which is currently used by a base station and determinedaccording to the cell identifier; or, a predefined interval.

Combining the first aspect, in a fifth possible implementation of thefirst aspect, the resource indication information about the first commonsearch area is resource indication information notified through abroadcast message or higher layer signaling or physical layer signaling,the resource indication information is acquired by a base station byadopting a bitmap indicating manner, and the resource indicationinformation includes a location index of a physical resource block wherethe location of the first common search area locates.

Combining any one of the first aspect to the fifth possibleimplementation of the first aspect, in a sixth possible implementationof the first aspect, the resource indication information about thesecond common search area is resource indication information determinedaccording to a preamble index.

Combining any one of the first aspect to the fifth possibleimplementation of the first aspect, in a seventh possible implementationof the first aspect, the resource indication information about thesecond common search area is resource indication information notifiedthrough a random access response, the resource indication informationincludes location information of a PRB occupied by the second commonsearch area, or, an index of the second common search area.

Combining any one of the first aspect to the fifth possibleimplementation of the first aspect, in an eighth possible implementationof the first aspect, the location of the second common search area is apredefined location; or, a location notified through a broadcast messageor higher layer signaling or physical layer signaling; or, a locationobtained through the location of the first common search area plus anoffset value in a frequency domain; or, a location determined accordingto a cell identifier.

Combining any one of the first aspect to the fifth possibleimplementation of the first aspect, in a ninth possible implementationof the first aspect, the resource indication information about thesecond common search area is resource indication information notified bya random access message 3, or an index of the second common search area.

Combining any one of the first aspect to the fifth possibleimplementation of the first aspect, in a tenth possible implementationof the first aspect, the resource indication information about thesecond common search area is resource indication information determinedaccording to a RNTI of a user.

Combining any one of the first aspect to the tenth possibleimplementation of the first aspect, in an eleventh possibleimplementation of the first aspect, the second common search area isused for a transmission of DCI format 1A; or,

the second common search area is used for a transmission of DCI format1A and DCI format 0; or,

the first common search area is used for a transmission of DCI format1C, and the second common search area is used for a transmission of DCIformat 1A and DCI format 0.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a method forprocessing a common search area, including:

determining a location of a first common search area of a controlchannel, or, determining a location of the first common search area anda location of at least one second common search area;

sending to a UE resource indication information corresponding to thelocation of the first common search area, or, resource indicationinformation corresponding to the location of the first common searcharea and resource indication information corresponding to the locationof at least one second common search area.

In a first possible implementation of the second aspect, the resourceindication information corresponding to the location of the first commonsearch area includes: a bandwidth of a carrier, a number of a PRBoccupied by the first common search area and an initial location of thefirst common search area, then the sending to the UE the resourceindication information corresponding to the location of the first commonsearch area includes:

sending to the UE the bandwidth of the carrier, the number of the PRBoccupied by the first common search area and the initial location of thefirst common search area through a broadcast message or higher layersignaling or physical layer signaling.

Combining the second aspect, in a second possible implementation of thesecond aspect, the resource indication information corresponding to thelocation of the first common search area includes: a PRB intervaloccupied by the first common search area and/or an initial location ofthe first common search area, then the sending to the UE the resourceindication information corresponding to the location of the first commonsearch area includes:

sending to the UE the PRB interval occupied by the first common searcharea and/or the initial location of the first common search area throughbroadcast information or higher layer signaling or physical layersignaling.

Combining the second aspect, in a third possible implementation of thesecond aspect, when the resource indication information corresponding tothe location of the first common search area includes a resourceindication value corresponding to the location of the first commonsearch area, the sending to the UE the resource indication informationcorresponding to the location of the first common search area includes:sending to the UE the resource indication value corresponding to thelocation of the first common search area through broadcast informationor higher layer signaling or physical layer signaling; or,

when the resource indication information corresponding to the locationof the first common search area includes a resource indication value anda N_(RB) ^(step) which correspond to the location of the first commonsearch area, then the sending to the UE resource the indicationinformation corresponding to the location of the first common searcharea includes: sending to the UE the resource indication value and theN_(RB) ^(step) which correspond to the location of the first commonsearch area through broadcast information or higher layer signaling orphysical layer signaling; or,

when the resource indication information corresponding to the locationof the first common search area includes a resource indication value anda currently used interval which correspond to the location of the firstcommon search area, then the sending to the UE the resource indicationinformation corresponding to the location of the first common searcharea includes: sending to the UE the resource indication value and thecurrently used interval which correspond to the location of the firstcommon search area through broadcast information or higher layersignaling or physical layer signaling; or,

when the resource indication information corresponding to the locationof the first common search area includes a resource indication value, aN_(RB) ^(step) and a currently used interval which correspond to thelocation of the first common search area, then the sending to the UE theresource indication information corresponding to the location of thefirst common search area includes: sending to the UE the resourceindication value, the N_(RB) ^(step) and the currently used intervalwhich correspond to the location of the first common search area throughbroadcast information or higher layer signaling or physical layersignaling.

Combining the second aspect, in a fourth possible implementation of thesecond aspect, the resource indication information corresponding to thelocation of the first common search area includes: a location index of aphysical resource block where the location of the first common searcharea locates;

then the sending to the UE the resource indication informationcorresponding to the location of the first common search area includes:

sending to the UE the resource indication information about the firstcommon search area through a broadcast message or higher layer signalingor physical layer signaling by adopting a bitmap indicating manner.

Combining any one of the second aspect and the fourth possibleimplementation of the second aspect, in a fifth possible implementationof the second aspect, the resource indication information correspondingto the location of the second common search area includes locationinformation of a PRB occupied by the second common search area, or, anindex of the second common search area;

then the sending to the UE the resource indication informationcorresponding to the location of at least one second common search area,further includes:

sending to the UE the location information of the PRB occupied by atleast one second common search area, or a set index number of at leastone second common search area through a random access response.

Combining any one of the second aspect and the fourth possibleimplementation of the second aspect, in a sixth possible implementationof the second aspect, the second common search area is used for atransmission of DCI format 1A; or,

the second common search area is used for a transmission of DCI format1A and DCI format 0; or,

the first common search area is used for a transmission of DCI format1C, and the second common search area is used for a transmission of DCIformat 1A and DCI format 0.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a device for processinga common search area, including:

an acquiring module, configured to acquire resource indicationinformation about a first common search area of a control channel, orresource indication information about a first common search area andresource indication information about at least one second common searcharea;

a location determining module, configured to determine, according to theresource indication information about the first common search area, orthe resource indication information about the first common search areaand the resource indication information about at least one second commonsearch area, a location of the first common search area, or locations ofthe first common search area and at least one second common search area.

In a first possible implementation of the third aspect, the resourceindication information about the first common search area acquired bythe acquiring module includes: bandwidth resource information, a numberof a PRB occupied by the first common search area and an initiallocation of the first common search area;

where the bandwidth resource information is a bandwidth of a carrier;or, a predefined fixed value; or, bandwidth resource informationnotified through broadcast information or higher layer signaling orphysical layer signaling;

the number of the PRB occupied by the first common search area is anumber of the PRB occupied by a common search area, where the number ofthe PRB occupied by the common search area is notified through broadcastinformation or higher layer signaling or physical layer signaling; or, apredefined parameter;

the initial location of the first common search area is a predefinedlocation; or, an initial location of a common search area determined bya cell identifier; or, an initial location of a common search areanotified through broadcast information or higher layer signaling orphysical layer signaling.

Combining the third aspect, in a second possible implementation of thethird aspect, the resource indication information about the first commonsearch area acquired by the acquiring module includes: a PRB intervaloccupied by the first common search area and an initial location of thefirst common search area;

where the initial location of the first common search area is apredefined location; or, an initial location of a common search areanotified through broadcast information or higher layer signaling orphysical layer signaling; or, an initial location of a common searcharea determined according to a cell identifier;

the PRB interval occupied by the first common search area is apredefined fixed value; or, a PRB interval which is occupied by a commonsearch area and notified through broadcast information or higher layersignaling or physical layer signaling; or, a PRB interval which isoccupied by a common search area and determined by the initial locationof the first common search area.

Combining the third aspect, in a third possible implementation of thethird aspect, the resource indication information about the first commonsearch area acquired by the acquiring module includes: a resourceindication value, a N_(RB) ^(step) and an interval currently used by abase station;

where the resource indication value is a resource indication valuenotified through broadcast information or higher layer signaling orphysical layer signaling;

the N_(RB) ^(step) is a N_(RB) ^(step) notified through broadcastinformation or higher layer signaling or physical layer signaling; or, aN_(RB) ^(step) determined according to a cell identifier; or, apredefined fixed value;

the interval currently used by a base station is an interval which iscurrently used by a base station and notified through broadcastinformation or higher layer signaling or physical layer signaling; or,an interval which is currently used by a base station and determinedaccording to the cell identifier; or, a predefined interval.

Combining the third aspect, in a fourth possible implementation of thethird aspect, the resource indication information about the first commonsearch area acquired by the acquiring module is a resource indicationinformation notified through a broadcast message or higher layersignaling or physical layer signaling, and the resource indicationinformation is acquired by a base station by adopting a bitmapindicating manner.

Combining any one of the third aspect to the fourth possibleimplementation of the third aspect, in a fifth possible implementationof the third aspect, the resource indication information about a secondcommon search area group acquired by the acquiring module is resourceindication information determined according to a preamble index.

Combining any one of the third aspect to the fourth possibleimplementation of the third aspect, in a sixth possible implementationof the third aspect, the resource indication information about thesecond common search area acquired by the acquiring module is resourceindication information notified through a random access response, andthe resource indication information includes location information of aPRB occupied by the second common search area, or, an index of thesecond common search area.

Combining any one of the third aspect to the fourth possibleimplementation of the third aspect, in a seventh possible implementationof the third aspect, the location of the second common search areaacquired by the acquiring module is a predefined location; or, alocation notified through a broadcast message or higher layer signalingor physical layer signaling; or, a location obtained through thelocation of the first common search area plus an offset value in afrequency domain; or, a location determined according to a cellidentifier.

Combining any one of the third aspect to the fourth possibleimplementation of the third aspect, in an eighth possible implementationof the third aspect, the resource indication information about thesecond common search area acquired by the acquiring module is resourceindication information notified by a random access message 3 or an indexof the second common search area.

Combining any one of the third aspect to the fourth possibleimplementation of the third aspect, in a ninth possible implementationof the third aspect, the resource indication information about thesecond common search area acquired by the acquiring module is resourceindication information determined according to a RNTI of a user.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a device forprocessing a common search area, including:

a location determining module, configured to determine a location of afirst common search area of a control channel, or, determine a locationof the first common search area and a location of at least one secondcommon search area;

a sending module, configured to send to a UE resource indicationinformation corresponding to the location of the first common searcharea, or, resource indication information corresponding to the locationof the first common search area and resource indication informationcorresponding to the location of at least one second common search area.

In a first possible implementation of the fourth aspect, when theresource indication information corresponding to the location of thefirst common search area includes: a bandwidth of a carrier, a number ofa PRB occupied by the first common search area and an initial locationof the first common search area, the sending module is specificallyconfigured to send to the UE the bandwidth of the carrier, the number ofthe PRB occupied by the first common search area and the initiallocation of the first common search area through a broadcast message orhigher layer signaling or physical layer signaling.

Combining the fourth aspect, in a second possible implementation of thefourth aspect, when the resource indication information corresponding tothe location of the first common search area includes: a PRB intervaloccupied by the first common search area and/or an initial location ofthe first common search area, the sending module is specificallyconfigured to send to the UE the PRB interval occupied by the firstcommon search area and/or the initial location of the first commonsearch area through broadcast information or higher layer signaling orphysical layer signaling.

Combining the fourth aspect, in a third possible implementation of thefourth aspect, when the resource indication information corresponding tothe location of the first common search area includes a resourceindication value corresponding to the location of the first commonsearch area, the sending module is specifically configured to send tothe UE the resource indication value corresponding to the location ofthe first common search area through broadcast information or higherlayer signaling or physical layer signaling; or,

when the resource indication information corresponding to the locationof the first common search area includes a resource indication value anda N_(RB) ^(step) which correspond to the location of the first commonsearch area, the sending module is specifically configured to send tothe UE the resource indication value and the N_(RB) ^(step) whichcorrespond to the location of the first common search area throughbroadcast information or higher layer signaling or physical layersignaling; or,

when the resource indication information corresponding to the locationof the first common search area includes a resource indication value anda currently used interval which correspond to the location of the firstcommon search area, the sending module is specifically configured tosend to the UE the resource indication value and the currently usedinterval which correspond to the location of the first common searcharea through broadcast information or higher layer signaling or physicallayer signaling; or,

when the resource indication information corresponding to the locationof the first common search area includes a resource indication value, aN_(RB) ^(step) and a currently used interval which correspond to thelocation of the first common search area, the sending module isspecifically configured to send to the UE the resource indication value,the N_(RB) ^(step) and the currently used interval which correspond tothe location of the first common search area through broadcastinformation or higher layer signaling or physical layer signaling.

Combining the fourth aspect, in a fourth possible implementation of thefourth aspect, when the resource indication information corresponding tothe location of the first common search area includes: a location indexof a physical resource block where the location of the first commonsearch area locates, the sending module is specifically configured tosend to the UE the resource indication information about the firstcommon search area through a broadcast message or higher layer signalingor physical layer signaling by adopting a bitmap indicating manner.

Combining any one of the fourth aspect to the fourth possibleimplementation of the fourth aspect, in a fifth possible implementationof the fourth aspect, when the resource indication informationcorresponding to the location of the second common search area includeslocation information of a PRB occupied by the second common search area,or, a set index number of the second common search area, the sendingmodule is specifically configured to send to the UE location informationof a PRB occupied by at least one second common search area, or a setindex number of at least one second common search area through a randomaccess response.

A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a user equipment,including: a memory, configured to store an instruction;

a processor coupled with the memory, where the processor is configuredto execute the instruction stored in the memory, and the processor isconfigured to execute the method for processing the common search areaaccording to the first aspect.

A sixth aspect of the present invention provides a base station,including: a memory, configured to store an instruction;

a processor coupled with the memory, where the processor is configuredto execute the instruction stored in the memory, and the processor isconfigured to execute the method for processing the common search areaaccording to the second aspect.

A seventh aspect of the present invention provides a communicationsystem, including: the aforementioned user equipment and theaforementioned base station.

Technical effects of the present invention are: the location of thefirst common search area, or the locations of the first common searcharea and at least one second common search area are determined via theacquired resource indication information about the first common searcharea of the control channel, or the resource indication informationabout the first common search area and the resource indicationinformation about at least one second common search area, therebysolving the problem in the prior art that the UE is not able todetermine the location of the common search area, which is caused by theEPDCCH which does not contain the common search area only consideringthe UE dedicated search area, and the problem of the congestion of thecommon search area, hence the EPDCCH channel can be received correctly,in the meantime, control signaling of at least one common search areacan be acquired timely.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a method for processing a common search areaaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of transmission of an EPDCCH;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for processing a common search areaaccording to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a device for processing acommon search area according to an embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a device for processing acommon search area according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a method for processing a common search areaaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1,the method of this embodiment includes:

Step 101, acquiring resource indication information about a first commonsearch area of a control channel, or resource indication informationabout a first common search area and resource indication informationabout at least one second common search area.

In this embodiment, after initially accessing a carrier, the resourceindication information about the first common search area of the controlchannel, or, the resource indication information about the first commonsearch area and the resource indication information about at least onesecond common search area can be acquired. Where, the carrier may bespecifically a NCT in a R11 version of the LTE, and an EPDCCH, ratherthan a PDCCH, is sent on this NCT. Where, the EPDCCH is sent in a regionof a subframe, which is used for transmitting downlink data, rather thanin a control region containing first n symbols of the subframe, and theEPDCCH multiplexes with a PDSCH in the frequency domain by occupying RBsdifferent from the PDSCH. This kind of EPDCCH may perform a precodingtransmission like the PDSCH, and demodulate according to a UE specificreference signal (DM RS). Besides, FIG. 2 is a schematic view oftransmission of an EPDCCH. As shown in FIG. 2, this EPDCCH has thefollowing characteristics:

1) EPDCCHs of a UE may perform beamforming, where a centralized mappingmanner is adopted for physical resources of the EPDCCHs;

2) Physical resource blocks (PRB) occupied by each EPDCCH are within therange of two to three;

3) On account of the blind detection necessary for the EPDCCHs, thelocation scope of the EPDCCHs in the frequency domain is preset.

Step 102, determining, according to the resource indication informationabout the first common search area, or the resource indicationinformation about the first common search area and the resourceindication information about at least one second common search area, thelocation of the first common search area, or the locations of the firstcommon search area and at least one second common search area.

In this embodiment, preferably, the control channel may include at leastone common search area. When the control channel includes one commonsearch area, this common search area is the first common search area.When the control channel includes two or more than two common searchareas, one common search area is the first common search area, othercommon search areas are the second common search areas. Where, partkinds of message scheduling signaling, message paging signaling, powercontrol signaling and random access signaling may be carried on thefirst common search area for transmission, and other kinds of signalingmay be carried on the second common search area for transmission, so asto avoid a congestion problem in the common search area. For example,the signaling for scheduling a system message is carried on the firstcommon search area for transmission, and the message paging signaling,the power control signaling and the random access signaling are carriedon the second common search area for transmission. Or, the signaling forscheduling the system message and the message paging signaling arecarried on the first common search area for transmission, and the powercontrol signaling and the random access signaling are carried on thesecond common search area for transmission.

In the embodiment, the location of the first common search area, or thelocations of the first common search area and at least one second commonsearch area are determined via the acquired resource indicationinformation about the first common search area of the control channel,or the resource indication information about the first common searcharea and the resource indication information about at least one secondcommon search area, thereby solving the problem in the prior art thatthe UE is not able to determine the location of the common search area,which is caused by the EPDCCH which does not contain the common searcharea only considering the UE dedicated search area, and the problem ofthe congestion of the common search area, hence the EPDCCH channel canbe received correctly, in the meantime, control signaling of at leastone common search area can be acquired timely.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, based on theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, the resource indication information aboutthe first common search area includes: bandwidth resource information,the number of a PRB occupied by the first common search area and aninitial location of the first common search area.

Where, the bandwidth resource information is a bandwidth of the carrier;or, a predefined fixed value; or, bandwidth resource informationnotified through broadcast information or higher layer signaling orphysical layer signaling;

the number of the PRB occupied by the first common search area is thenumber of the PRB occupied by a common search area, where the number ofthe PRB occupied by the common search area is notified through broadcastinformation or higher layer signaling or physical layer signaling; or, apredefined parameter;

the initial location of the first common search area is a predefinedlocation; or, an initial location of a common search area determined bya cell identifier; or, an initial location of a common search areanotified through broadcast information or higher layer signaling orphysical layer signaling.

Where, the broadcast information may be a PBCH or an EPBCH and etc.; thehigher layer signaling may be RRC signaling and etc.; the physical layersignaling may be an EPCFICH and etc.

It should be noted that, the initial location of the first common searcharea being the initial location of the common search area determinedaccording to the cell identifier is specifically implemented as:

the cell identifier (Cell ID) is scrambled onto a synchronizationsequence PSS/SSS, and the UE acquires the cell identifier afterperforming the synchronization, then the formula (1) is adopted todetermine the initial location N_(offset) of the first common searcharea:

N _(offset) =f(CellID)  (1)

Where, the N_(offset) may be specifically Cell ID mod N, preferably, thefirst common search area is distributed on the bandwidth resourceinformation with an equal interval, the number of the PRB in theinterval is

${N = \lfloor {\frac{N_{RB}^{BW}}{M} - 1} \rfloor},$

where, the N_(RB) ^(BW) is the bandwidth resource information which isdenoted with the number of the PRB, M is the number of the PRB occupiedby the common search areas in the first common search area group.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, based on theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, the resource indication information aboutthe first common search area, the resource indication informationincludes: a PRB interval occupied by the first common search area and aninitial location of the first common search area;

where the initial location of the first common search area is apredefined location; or, an initial location of a common search areanotified through broadcast information or higher layer signaling orphysical layer signaling; or, an initial location of a common searcharea determined according to a cell identifier;

the PRB interval occupied by the first common search area is apredefined fixed value; or, a PRB interval which is occupied by a commonsearch area and notified through broadcast information or higher layersignaling or physical layer signaling; or, a PRB interval which isoccupied by a common search area and determined by the initial locationof the first common search area.

It should be noted that, the initial location of the first common searcharea being the initial location of the common search area determinedaccording to the cell identifier is specifically implemented as:

the cell identifier (Cell ID) is scrambled onto a synchronizationsequence PSS/SSS, and the UE acquires the cell identifier afterperforming the synchronization, then the formula (2) is adopted todetermine the initial location N_(offset) of the first common searcharea:

N _(offset) =f(CellID)  (2)

Where, the N_(offset) may be specifically Cell ID mod P. P, which is afixed value, is the number of the PRB occupied by the first commonsearch area.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, based on theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, the resource indication information aboutthe first common search area includes: a resource indication value, aN_(RB) ^(step) and an interval currently used by a base station;

where the resource indication value is a resource indication valuenotified through broadcast information or higher layer signaling orphysical layer signaling;

the N_(RB) ^(step) is a N_(RB) ^(step) notified through broadcastinformation or higher layer signaling or physical layer signaling; or, aN_(RB) ^(step) determined according to a cell identifier; or, apredefined fixed value;

the interval currently used by the base station is an interval which iscurrently used by the base station and notified through broadcastinformation or higher layer signaling or physical layer signaling; or,an interval which is currently used by the base station and determinedaccording to the cell identifier; or, a predefined interval.

In this embodiment, the manner in which the resource indication valueabout the first common search area is acquired is:

firstly, the base station adopts the formula (3) to acquire the initiallocation RB_(start) of the first common search area:

RB _(start)=0,N _(RB) ^(step),2N _(RB) ^(step), . . . ,(└N _(VRB) ^(DL)/N _(RB) ^(step)┘−1)N _(RB) ^(step)  (3)

Then, the formula (4) is adopted to acquire the length L_(CRBs) of thefirst common search area:

L _(CRBs) =N _(RB) ^(step),2N _(RB) ^(step), . . . ,(└N _(VRB) ^(DL) /N_(RB) ^(step)┘)N _(RB) ^(step)  (4)

Finally, the formula (5) is adopted to acquire an indication value RIVof the first common search area:

RIV=N′ _(VRB) ^(DL)(L _(CRBs)−1)±RB′ _(start)  (5)

Where, L′_(CRBs)=L_(CRBs)/N_(RB) ^(step),RB′_(start)=RB_(start)/N_(RB)^(step),N′_(VRB) ^(DL)=└N_(VRB) ^(DL)/N_(RB) ^(step)┘.

When N_(gap)=N_(gap,1),N_(VRB) ^(DL)=N_(VRB,gap1)^(DL)=2min(N_(gap),N_(RB) ^(DL)−N_(gap));

when N_(gap)=N_(gap,2),N_(VRB) ^(DL)=N_(VRB,gap2) ^(DL)=└N_(VRB)^(DL)/N_(RB) ^(step)┘□2N_(gap).

Besides, values of the intervals N_(gap), N_(RB) ^(DL) and N_(RB)^(step) may be determined by a first mapping table and a second mappingtable in the protocol. Where, the first mapping table of the intervalsN_(gap) and N_(RB) ^(DL) is shown in Table 1, and the second mappingtable of the intervals N_(RB) ^(DL) and N_(RB) ^(step) is shown in Table2.

TABLE 1 Gap (N_(gap)) System BW (N_(RB) ^(DL)) 1st Gap (N_(gap,1)) 2ndGap (N_(gap,2))  6-10 ┌N_(RB) ^(DL)/2┐ N/A 11 4 N/A 12-19 8 N/A 20-26 12N/A 27-44 18 N/A 45-49 27 N/A 50-63 27  9 64-79 32 16  80-110 48 16

TABLE 2 Gap (N_(gap)) System BW (N_(RB) ^(DL)) 1st Gap (N_(gap,1)) 6-492 50-110 4

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, based on theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, the resource indication information aboutthe first common search area is resource indication information notifiedthrough a broadcast message or higher layer signaling or physical layersignaling, the resource indication information is acquired by a basestation by adopting a bitmap indicating manner, and the resourceindication information includes a location of a physical resource blockwhere the location of the first common search area locates.

For example, the base station adopting the bitmap indicating manner toacquire the resource indication information is specifically implementedas: adopting the bitmap indicating manner, setting location indicationof the physical resource block where the first common search arealocates to be 1, and setting locations of other physical resource blocksto be 0, then a user terminal determines the location of the firstcommon search area according to the location indication 1 or thelocation indication 0.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, based on theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, for each second common search area, theresource indication information about the second common search area isresource indication information determined according to a preambleindex.

For example, take one second common search area as an example, thepreamble index is n, the index of the second common search area wherethe UE locates (namely the resource indication information) is:N_(css)=f(n), specifically, N_(css)=(n mod(k))+1, N_(css)=1, 2, 3 . . .; K represents the number of the second common search area apart fromthe first common search area.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, based on theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, the resource indication information aboutthe second common search area is resource indication informationnotified through a random access response, and the resource indicationinformation includes location information of the PRB occupied by thesecond common search area, or, an index of the second common searcharea.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, based on theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, the location of the second common searcharea is a predefined location; or, a location notified through abroadcast message or higher layer signaling or physical layer signaling;or, a location obtained through the location of the first common searcharea plus an offset value in the frequency domain; or, a locationdetermined according to a cell identifier.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, based on theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, the resource indication information aboutthe second common search area is resource indication informationnotified by a random access message 3 or an index of the second commonsearch area.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, based on theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, the resource indication information aboutthe second common search area is resource indication informationdetermined according to a RNTI of a user.

For example, take one second common search area as an example, the RNTIof the UE is n, the index of the second common search area where the UElocates is: N=f(n).

Specifically, N_(css)=(n mod (K))+1 or N_(css)=(n mod (K)), whereN_(css)=1, 2, . . . , and K represents the number of the second commonsearch area apart from the first common search area.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, based on theaforementioned embodiments, the second common search area is used for atransmission of downlink control information of format 1A (DCI format1A);

or,

the second common search area is used for a transmission of DCI format1A and downlink control information of format 0 (DCI format 0); or,

the first common search area is used for a transmission of downlinkcontrol information of format 1C (DCI format 1C), and the second commonsearch area is used for a transmission of DCI format 1A and DCI format0.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for processing a common search areaaccording to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 3, the executive entity of the embodiment is a base station, themethod includes:

Step 201, determining a location of a first common search area of acontrol channel, or, determining a location of a first common searcharea and a location of at least one second common search area.

Step 202, sending to a UE resource indication information correspondingto the location of the first common search area, or, resource indicationinformation corresponding to the location of the first common searcharea and resource indication information corresponding to the locationof at least one second common search area.

In this embodiment, the UE may execute the technical solution of themethod embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, and the implementing principlesare similar, which will not be repeated here.

Besides, in this embodiment, preferably, the control channel may includeat least one common search area. When the control channel includes onecommon search area, this common search area is the first common searcharea. When the control channel includes two or more than two commonsearch areas, one common search area is the first common search area,and other common search areas are the second common search areas. Where,part kinds of message scheduling signaling, message paging signaling,power control signaling and random access signaling may be carried onthe first common search area for transmission, and other kinds ofsignaling may be carried on the second common search area fortransmission, so as to avoid a congestion problem in the common searcharea. For example, the signaling for scheduling a system message iscarried on the first common search area for transmission, and themessage paging signaling, the power control signaling and the randomaccess signaling are carried on the second common search area fortransmission. Or, the signaling for scheduling the system message andthe message paging signaling are carried on the first common search areafor transmission, and the power control signaling and the random accesssignaling are carried on the second common search area for transmission.

In the embodiment, by determining the location of the first commonsearch area of the control channel, or, determining the location of thefirst common search area and the location of at least one second commonsearch area, and sending to the UE the resource indication informationcorresponding to the location of the first common search area, or, theresource indication information corresponding to the location of thefirst common search area and the resource indication informationcorresponding to the location of at least one second common search area,the UE can determine the location of the first common search area, orthe location of the first common search area and the location of atleast one second common search area via the resource indicationinformation corresponding to the location of the first common searcharea, or the resource indication information corresponding to thelocation of the first common search area and the resource indicationinformation corresponding to the location of at least one second commonsearch area, thereby solving the problem in the prior art that the UE isnot able to determine the location of the common search area, which iscaused by the EPDCCH which does not contain the common search area onlyconsidering the UE dedicated search area, and the problem of thecongestion of the common search area, hence the EPDCCH channel can bereceived correctly, in the meantime, control signaling of at least onecommon search area can be acquired timely.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, based on theembodiment shown in FIG. 3, the resource indication informationcorresponding to the location of the first common search area includes:a bandwidth of a carrier, the number of a PRB occupied by the firstcommon search area and an initial location of the first common searcharea, then a specific implementation of the sending to the UE theresource indication information corresponding to the location of thefirst common search area in step 202 is:

sending to the UE the bandwidth of the carrier, the number of the PRBoccupied by the first common search area and the initial location of thefirst common search area through a broadcast message or higher layersignaling or physical layer signaling.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, based on theembodiment shown in FIG. 3, the resource indication informationcorresponding to the location of the first common search area includes:a PRB interval occupied by the first common search area and/or aninitial location of the first common search area, then another specificimplementation of the sending to the UE the resource indicationinformation corresponding to the location of the first common searcharea in step 202 is:

sending to the UE the PRB interval occupied by the first common searcharea and/or the initial location of the first common search area throughbroadcast information or higher layer signaling or physical layersignaling.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, based on theembodiment shown in FIG. 3, a specific implementation of the determiningthe location of the first common search area of the control channel instep 201 is:

acquiring, according to an initial location and the length of the firstcommon search area, a resource indication value corresponding to thelocation of the first common search area, and determining, according tothe resource indication value corresponding to the location of the firstcommon search area, the location of the first common search area.

Specifically, a specific implementation of the acquiring, according tothe initial location and the length of the first common search area, theresource indication value corresponding to the location of the firstcommon search area is:

inquiring a first mapping table of a preset interval and N_(RB) ^(DL),and a second mapping table of N_(RB) ^(DL) and N_(RB) ^(step), acquiringthe initial location and the length of the first common search area;

acquiring, according to the initial location and the length of the firstcommon search area, the resource indication value of the first commonsearch area.

For example, firstly adopting the formula (3) to acquire the initiallocation RB_(start) of the first common search area:

RB _(start)=0,N _(RB) ^(step),2N _(RB) ^(step), . . . ,(└N _(VRB) ^(DL)/N _(RB) ^(step)┘)−1)N _(RB) ^(step)  (3)

Then, adopting the formula (4) to acquire the length L_(CRBs) of thefirst common search area:

L _(CRBs) =N _(RB) ^(step),2N _(RB) ^(step), . . . ,(└N _(VRB) ^(DL) /N_(RB) ^(step)┘)N _(RB) ^(step)  (4)

Finally, adopting the formula (5) to acquire the indication value RIV ofthe first common search area:

RIV=N′ _(VRB) ^(DL)(L _(CRBs)−1)±RB′ _(start)  (5)

Where, L′_(CRBs)=L_(CRBs)/N_(RB) ^(step),RB′_(start)=RB_(start)/N_(RB)^(step),N′_(VRB) ^(DL)=└N_(VRB) ^(DL)/N_(RB) ^(step)┘.

When N_(gap)=N_(gap,1),N_(VRB) ^(DL)=N_(VRB,gap1)^(DL)=2min(N_(gap),N_(RB) ^(DL)−N_(gap));

when N_(gap)=N_(gap,2),N_(VRB) ^(DL)=N_(VRB,gap2) ^(DL)=└N_(VRB)^(DL)/N_(RB) ^(step)┘□2N_(gap).

Besides, values of the intervals N_(gap), N_(RB) ^(DL) and N_(RB)^(step) may be determined by the first mapping table and the secondmapping table in the protocol. Where, the first mapping table of theintervals N_(gap) and N_(RB) ^(DL) is shown in the aforementioned Table1, and the second mapping table of the intervals N_(RB) ^(DL) and N_(RB)^(step) is shown in the aforementioned Table 2.

Then another specific implementation of the sending to the UE theresource indication information corresponding to the location of thefirst common search area in step 202 is:

sending to the UE the resource indication value corresponding to thelocation of the first common search area through broadcast informationor higher layer signaling or physical layer signaling; or, sending tothe UE the resource indication value, the N_(RB) ^(step) and thecurrently used interval which correspond to the location of the firstcommon search area through broadcast information or higher layersignaling or physical layer signaling.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, based on theembodiment shown in FIG. 3, the resource indication informationcorresponding to the location of the first common search area includes:a location index of a physical resource block where the location of thefirst common search area locates.

Then another specific implementation of the sending to the UE theresource indication information about the first common search area instep 202 is:

sending to the UE the resource indication information about the firstcommon search area through a broadcast message or higher layer signalingor physical layer signaling by adopting a bitmap indicating manner.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, based on theembodiment shown in FIG. 3, the resource indication informationcorresponding to the location of the second common search area includeslocation information of a PRB occupied by the second common search area,or, an index of the second common search area;

then a specific implementation of the sending to the UE the resourceindication information corresponding to the location of at least onesecond common search area in step 202 is:

sending to the UE the location information of the PRB occupied by atleast one second common search area, or the index of the second commonsearch area through a random access response.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, based on theembodiment shown in FIG. 3, the second common search area is used for atransmission of DCI format 1A; or,

the second common search area is used for a transmission of DCI format1A and DCI format 0; or,

the first common search area is used for a transmission of DCI format1C, and the second common search area is used for a transmission of DCIformat 1A and DCI format 0.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art may understand that all or part ofthe steps in the above method embodiments may be implemented by aprogram instructing relevant hardware. The program may be stored in acomputer readable storage medium. When the program is run, the foregoingsteps in the method embodiments are performed. The storage medium may beany medium capable of storing program codes, such as a ROM, a RAM, amagnetic disk, or an optical disk.

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a device for processing acommon search area according to an embodiment of the present invention.As shown in FIG. 4, the device may be specifically a user terminal, thisdevice includes: an acquiring module 11 and a location determiningmodule 12, where, the acquiring module 11 is configured to acquireresource indication information about a first common search area of acontrol channel, or resource indication information about a first commonsearch area and resource indication information about at least onesecond common search area; the location determining module 12 isconfigured to determine, according to the resource indicationinformation about the first common search area, or the resourceindication information about the first common search area and theresource indication information about at least one second common searcharea, a location of the first common search area, or locations of thefirst common search area and at least one second common search area.

The device for processing the common search area in the embodiment mayexecute the technical solution of the method embodiment as shown in FIG.1, and the implementing principles are similar, which will not berepeated here.

In the embodiment, the location of the first common search area, or thelocation of the first common search area and the location of at leastone second common search area is determined via the acquired resourceindication information about the first common search area of the controlchannel, or the resource indication information about the first commonsearch area and resource indication information about at least onesecond common search area, thereby solving the problem in the prior artthat the UE is not able to determine the location of the common searcharea, which is caused by the EPDCCH which does not contain the commonsearch area only considering the UE dedicated search area, and theproblem of the congestion of the common search area, hence the EPDCCHchannel can be received correctly, in the meantime, control signaling ofat least one common search area can be acquired timely.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, based on theembodiment shown in FIG. 4, the resource indication information aboutthe first common search area acquired by the acquiring module 11includes: bandwidth resource information, the number of a PRB occupiedby the first common search area and an initial location of the firstcommon search area;

where the bandwidth resource information is a bandwidth of the carrier;or, a predefined fixed value; or, bandwidth resource informationnotified through broadcast information or higher layer signaling orphysical layer signaling;

the number of the PRB occupied by the first common search area is thenumber of the PRB occupied by a common search area, where the number ofthe PRB occupied by the common search area is notified through broadcastinformation or higher layer signaling or physical layer signaling; or, apredefined parameter;

the initial location of the first common search area is a predefinedlocation; or, an initial location of a common search area determined bya cell identifier; or, an initial location of a common search areanotified through broadcast information or higher layer signaling orphysical layer signaling.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, based on theembodiment shown in FIG. 4, the resource indication information aboutthe first common search area acquired by the acquiring module 11includes: a PRB interval occupied by the first common search area and aninitial location of the first common search area;

where the initial location of the first common search area is apredefined location; or, an initial location of a common search areanotified through broadcast information or higher layer signaling orphysical layer signaling; or, an initial location of a common searcharea determined according to a cell identifier;

the PRB interval occupied by the first common search area is apredefined fixed value; or, a PRB interval which is occupied by a commonsearch area and notified through broadcast information or higher layersignaling or physical layer signaling; or, a PRB interval which isoccupied by a common search area and determined by the initial locationof the first common search area.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, based on theembodiment shown in FIG. 4, the resource indication information aboutthe first common search area acquired by the acquiring module 11includes: a resource indication value, a N_(RB) ^(step) and an intervalcurrently used by a base station;

where the resource indication value is a resource indication valuenotified through broadcast information or higher layer signaling orphysical layer signaling;

the N_(RB) ^(step) is a N_(RB) ^(step) notified through broadcastinformation or higher layer signaling or physical layer signaling; or, aN_(RB) ^(step) determined according to a cell identifier; or, apredefined fixed value;

the interval currently used by the base station is an interval which iscurrently used by the base station and notified through broadcastinformation or higher layer signaling or physical layer signaling; or,an interval which is currently used by the base station and determinedaccording to the cell identifier; or, a predefined interval.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, based on theembodiment shown in FIG. 4, the resource indication information aboutthe first common search area acquired by the acquiring module 11 isresource indication information notified through a broadcast message orhigher layer signaling or physical layer signaling, and the resourceindication information is acquired by the base station by adopting abitmap indicating manner.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, based on theembodiment shown in FIG. 4, the resource indication information aboutthe second common search area group acquired by the acquiring module 11is resource indication information determined according to a preambleindex.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, based on theembodiment shown in FIG. 4, the resource indication information aboutthe second common search area acquired by the acquiring module 11 isresource indication information notified through a random accessresponse, and the resource indication information includes locationinformation of a PRB occupied by the second common search area, or, anindex of the second common search area.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, based on theembodiment shown in FIG. 4, the location of the second common searcharea acquired by the acquiring module 11 is a predefined location; or, alocation notified through a broadcast message or higher layer signalingor physical layer signaling; or, a location obtained through thelocation of the first common search area plus an offset value in thefrequency domain; or, a location determined according to a cellidentifier.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, based on theembodiment shown in FIG. 4, the resource indication information aboutthe second common search area acquired by the acquiring module 11 isresource indication information notified by a random access message 3 oran index of the second common search area.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, based on theembodiment shown in FIG. 4, the resource indication information aboutthe second common search area acquired by the acquiring module 11 isresource indication information determined according to a RNTI of auser.

FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a device for processing acommon search area according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 5, the device in this embodiment may be abase station, the device includes: a location determining module 21 anda sending module 22, where, the location determining module 21 isconfigured to determine a location of a first common search area of acontrol channel, or, determine a location of the first common searcharea and a location of at least one second common search area; thesending module 22 is configured to send to a UE resource indicationinformation corresponding to the location of the first common searcharea, or, resource indication information corresponding to the locationof the first common search area and resource indication informationcorresponding to the location of at least one second common search area.

The device for processing the common search area in the embodiment mayexecute the technical solution of the method embodiment as shown in FIG.3, and the implementing principles are similar, which will not berepeated here.

By determining the location of the first common search area of thecontrol channel, or, determining the location of the first common searcharea and the location of at least one second common search area, andsending to the UE the resource indication information corresponding tothe location of the first common search area, or, the resourceindication information corresponding to the location of the first commonsearch area and the resource indication information corresponding to thelocation of at least one second common search area, the UE candetermine, according to the resource indication informationcorresponding to the location of the first common search area, oraccording to the resource indication information corresponding to thelocation of the first common search area and the resource indicationinformation corresponding to the location of at least one second commonsearch area, the location of the first common search area, or thelocation of the first common search area and the location of at leastone second common search area, thereby solving the problem in the priorart that the UE is able to determine the location of the common searcharea, which is caused by the EPDCCH which does not contain the commonsearch area only considering the UE dedicated search area, and theproblem of the congestion of the common search area, hence the EPDCCHchannel can be received correctly, in the meantime, control signaling ofat least one common search area can be acquired timely.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, based on theembodiment shown in FIG. 5, when the resource indication informationcorresponding to the location of the first common search area includes:a bandwidth of a carrier, the number of a PRB occupied by the firstcommon search area and an initial location of the first common searcharea, the sending module 22 is specifically configured to send to the UEthe bandwidth of the carrier, the number of the PRB occupied by thefirst common search area and the initial location of the first commonsearch area through a broadcast message or higher layer signaling orphysical layer signaling.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, based on theembodiment shown in FIG. 5, when the resource indication informationcorresponding to the location of the first common search area includes:a PRB interval occupied by the first common search area and/or aninitial location of the first common search area, the sending module 22is specifically configured to send to the UE the PRB interval occupiedby the first common search area and/or the initial location of the firstcommon search area through broadcast information or higher layersignaling or physical layer signaling.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, based on theembodiment shown in FIG. 5, the location determining module 21 isspecifically configured to acquire, according to an initial location andthe length of the first common search area, a resource indication valuecorresponding to the location of the first common search area, anddetermine, according to the resource indication value corresponding tothe location of the first common search area, the location of the firstcommon search area;

then the sending module 22 is specifically configured to send to the UEthe resource indication value corresponding to the location of the firstcommon search area; or send to the UE the resource indication value, theN_(RB) ^(step) and the currently used interval which correspond to thelocation of the first common search area through broadcast informationor higher layer signaling or physical layer signaling.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, based on theembodiment shown in FIG. 5, when the resource indication informationcorresponding to the location of the first common search area includes:a location index of a physical resource block where the location of thefirst common search area locates, the sending module 22 is specificallyconfigured to send to the UE the resource indication information aboutthe first common search area through a broadcast message or higher layersignaling or physical layer signaling by adopting a bitmap indicatingmanner.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, based on theembodiment shown in FIG. 5, when the resource indication informationcorresponding to the location of the second common search area includeslocation information of a PRB occupied by the second common search area,or, a set index number of the second common search area, the sendingmodule 22 is specifically configured to send to the UE the locationinformation of the PRB occupied by at least one second common searcharea, or a set index number of at least one second common search areathrough a random access response.

The present invention also provides a user equipment, including: amemory, configured to store an instruction;

a processor coupled with the memory, where the processor is configuredto execute the instruction stored in the memory, and the processor isconfigured to execute the method for processing the common search areaaccording to FIG. 1.

The present invention also provides a base station, including: a memory,configured to store an instruction;

a processor coupled with the memory, where the processor is configuredto execute the instruction stored in the memory, and the processor isconfigured to execute the method for processing the common search areaaccording to FIG. 3.

The present invention also provides a communication system, including:the aforementioned user equipment and the aforementioned base station.

Finally, it should be noted that the foregoing embodiments are merelyintended for describing the technical solutions of the present inventionother than limiting the present invention. Although the presentinvention is described in detail with reference to the foregoingembodiments, a person of ordinary skill in the art should understandthat he may still make modifications to the technical solutionsdescribed in the foregoing embodiments, or make equivalent replacementsto some or all of technical features thereof, without departing from thescope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the presentinvention.

1. A method for processing a common search area at a terminal sidedevice, comprising: acquiring a first resource indication informationabout a first common search area from a broadcast message and a secondresource indication information about at least one second common searcharea from a high layer signaling; determining according to the firstresource indication information, a location of the first common searcharea; and determining according to the second resource indicationinformation, a location of the at least one second common search area;wherein the first common search area carries at least one kind ofcontrol signaling and the at least one second common search areacarriers a different kind of control signaling.
 2. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein the first resource indication information comprisesat least one of: bandwidth resource information, a number of a physicalresource block (PRB) occupied by the first common search area and alocation of the first common search area.
 3. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the second resource indication information compriseslocation information of a physical resource block (PRB) occupied by theat least one common search area.
 4. The method according to claim 1,wherein the at least one kind of control signaling comprises signalingfor scheduling a system information and signaling for message paging,and the different kind of control signaling comprises power controlsignaling and random access signaling.
 5. The method according to claim1, wherein the terminal side device is a user equipment (UE) device or aprocessor at the UE.
 6. An apparatus, comprising a processing circuitand a memory having executable instructions stored therein, whereinexecution of the executable instructions by the processing circuitcauses the processing circuit to: acquire a first resource indicationinformation about a first common search area from a broadcast messageand a second resource indication information about at least one secondcommon search area from a high layer signaling; determine according tothe first resource indication information, a location of the firstcommon search area; and determine according to the second resourceindication information, a location of the at least one second commonsearch area; wherein the first common search area carries at least onekind of control signaling and the at least one second common search areacarriers a different kind of control signaling.
 7. The apparatusaccording to claim 6, wherein the first resource indication informationcomprises at least one of: bandwidth resource information, a number of aphysical resource block (PRB) occupied by the first common search areaand a location of the first common search area.
 8. The apparatusaccording to claim 6, wherein the second resource indication informationcomprises location information of a physical resource block (PRB)occupied by the at least one common search area.
 9. The apparatusaccording to claim 6, wherein the at least one kind of control signalingcomprises signaling for scheduling a system information and signalingfor message paging, and the different kind of control signalingcomprises power control signaling and random access signaling.
 10. Theapparatus according to claim 6, wherein the apparatus is a userequipment (UE) device or a processor at the UE.
 11. A method forprocessing a common search area at a network side device, comprising:determining a location of a first common search area and a location ofat least one second common search area; transmitting a first resourceindication information about the first common search area through abroadcast message; and transmitting a second resource indicationinformation about the at least one second common search area through ahigh layer signaling; wherein the first common search area carries atleast one kind of control signaling and the at least one second commonsearch area carriers a different kind of control signaling.
 12. Themethod according to claim 11, wherein the first resource indicationinformation comprises at least one of: bandwidth resource information, anumber of a physical resource block (PRB) occupied by the first commonsearch area and a location of the first common search area.
 13. Themethod according to claim 11, wherein the second resource indicationinformation comprises location information of a physical resource block(PRB) occupied by the at least one common search area.
 14. The methodaccording to claim 11, wherein the at least one kind of controlsignaling comprises signaling for scheduling a system information andsignaling for message paging, and the different kind of controlsignaling comprises power control signaling and random access signaling.15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the network side device isa base station or a processor at the base station.
 16. An apparatus,comprising: a processing circuit, a transmitter and a memory havingexecutable instructions stored therein, wherein execution of theexecutable instructions causes: the processing circuit to determine alocation of a first common search area and a location of at least onesecond common search area; the transmitter to transmit a first resourceindication information about a first common search area through abroadcast message; and the transmitter to transmit a second resourceindication information about at least one second common search areathrough a high layer signaling; wherein the first common search areacarries at least one kind of control signaling and the at least onesecond common search area carriers a different kind of controlsignaling.
 17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the firstresource indication information comprises at least one of: bandwidthresource information, a number of a physical resource block (PRB)occupied by the first common search area and a location of the firstcommon search area.
 18. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein thesecond resource indication information comprises location information ofa physical resource block (PRB) occupied by the at least one commonsearch area.
 19. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the atleast one kind of control signaling comprises signaling for scheduling asystem information and signaling for message paging, and the differentkind of control signaling comprises power control signaling and randomaccess signaling.
 20. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein theapparatus is a base station or a processor at the base station.